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Score:
Data available:
 
Fair

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LECITHIN


image source: PubChem
Health Concerns of the Ingredient:
Overall Hazard
 
 
Cancer
 
 
Developmental &
reproductive toxicity
 
 
Allergies & immunotoxicity
 
 
Use restrictions
 
 
Other HIGH concerns: Multiple, additive exposure sources, Contamination concerns; Other LOW concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Data gaps, Ecotoxicology

About LECITHIN: Lecithin is a naturally ocurring lipid found in both plants and animals. According to the PETA's Caring Consumer guide, lecithin for com mercial purposes is most commonly obtain from eggs and soybeans ... read more

This ingredient may be derived from animals. From PETA's Caring Consumer: Waxy substance in nervous tissue of all living organisms. But frequently obtained for commercial purposes from eggs and soybeans. Also from nerve tissue, blood, milk, corn. Choline bitartrate, the bas ... read more

Function(s): Skin-Conditioning Agent - Miscellaneous; Surfactant - Emulsifying Agent; ANTISTATIC; EMOLLIENT; SKIN CONDITIONING

Synoym(s): EGG YOLK LECITHIN; EGG YOLK LECITHINS; LECITHIN, SOYBEAN; LECITHINS; LECITHINS, EGG YOLK; SOYBEAN LECITHIN; SOYBEAN PHOSPHOLIPID; ACTI-FLOW 68SB; AF 1; ALCOLEC S; EGG YOLK

Multiple, additive exposure sources

Concern Reference
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information availableFDA Everything Added to Food
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodFDA Everything Added to Food

Allergies/immunotoxicity

Concern Reference
One or more human case studies show possible immune and respiratory or allergenic effects (only for products that may be aerosolized (airborne))Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics

Use restrictions

Concern Reference
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualificationsCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Ecotoxicology

Concern Reference
Uncertain environmental toxin and uncertain persistent or bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Enhanced skin absorption

Concern Reference
Penetration enhancerCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Data gaps

Concern Reference
Safety unknown for products that may be inhaled (only for products that may be aerosolized (airborne))Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
17,072 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->NLM PubMed

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Concern Reference
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Concern Reference
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Classified as a low human health priorityEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Contamination concerns

Impurity Score
NITROSAMINES
Data: Fair

Data Sources

AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25
NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.

About the ratings

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer